This past week has honestly been a bit rough, mentally. When you’re in a tough place, it tends to be pretty hard to find motivation or inspiration in much of anything. But sometimes, it’s also good to let yourself feel what you need to feel.
I’m a huge Coldplay fan – I don’t hide it either. I went to their show a few weeks ago in Van, where they played almost all of my favourite tunes by them. They’re probably the one band where I can go to a concert and say “ohmigosh I know this one!!” to nearly every single song they play. That night, they just so happened to play Sparks. This is one of my top three favourite songs by them, if not in general, of all time. It’s a song that I come back to frequently when I’m down and just like listening to in order to settle a bit. I can listen to it in any situation, and though as a wind band composer, you might think that Coldplay’s music wouldn’t influence me, but I think it does. A lot. It may be more hidden than say Joe Hisaishi or Yoko Shimomura or Charlie Rosen, but every now and again, there’s a harmony, a bassline, a drum part, that’s ever so slightly inspired by Coldplay. Sparks is one song in particular that I believe I might draw on for a nature-inspired composition; its mellow bassline, a slow three-feel, the acoustics – everything about it is so calming, so soothing. It might be difficult, but it’s hard not to be inspired by those things, and admire how well they were able to create such a healing atmosphere.
Guess which song is going into my playlist. I’m lovin’ this song. I love the relaxing mood it creates and the interesting harmony in those guitar chords. I’m going to be honest and say that I found the bassline a little too repetitive, but it serves its role. I love how it feels like the vocal is part of the music, unlike many pop music where the music supports the vocalist.
As a musician, I think it’s natural that you get some inspiration from your favorite songs. You may draw more from someone or something that you get direct inspiration from, but I think it’s natural for anything and everything to have an influence on your music. After all, music composition is a way of expressing yourself, and you are a person who loves Coldplay.